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Deacon Jaime Dungey (Good Shepherd, Somerville)
Pastor Peter DeRuiter (Retired), recovering from a fall.
The congregations of...
Zion, Saddle River
Living Waters, Ringoes
Trinity, Runnemede
These companion synods in the ELCA and around the world...
Western Iowa Synod, ELCA
Southwestern Minnesota Synod, ELCA
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Chile
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This past weekend we concluded our second Lay Preaching Program! We are grateful for these lay leaders, the months of work they've put in, and the time spent together preaching, listening, and sharing the word of God.
A special thank you to our Leadership Team, our Bishop and Pastors who listened and help guide our in-person day, and to our program instructors, Pastor Lisa Holliday, Pastor John Holliday, Pastor Kimberly Cooper, and Pastor Eric Trozzo (who also facilitated the entire program).
Thanks be to God for these leaders of our synod!
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Care of Creation Action
from your 24-25 Bishop's Challenge Team
Your 24-25 Bishop's Challenge Stewards of the Earth superhero team has developed postcards you can use in your congregation to show support for upcoming climate legislation in the Lame Duck session.
Call your NJ State Representative to support S3545, the Climate Superfund Act, SCR43, the Green Amendment, and other environmental bills during the Lame Duck session.
Over the next two months, our legislature will be considering S3398 - Packaging Product Stewardship Act, S3195 - Skip the Stuff Act as well as S3545, the Climate Superfund Act (to ensure the largest polluters pay for environmental damage and restoration) and SCR43, the Green Amendment (to ensure New Jersey's rights to clean air, water, and natural spaces are preserved in our state constitution).
You can support these bills and the care of God's good creation by setting up a table after worship featuring one or more of these cards and flyers (summary and talking points). Cards are designed to be printed on cardstock (landscape/flip on short side) and then addressed to your representatives. You can encourage people to call or email their representatives, too! To find contact information for the representatives for your area, visit https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/.
Questions? Want to join our Care of Creation justice group? Contact Karen at aplco...@gmail.com
Reduce Plastics Postcard | Reduce Plastics Flyer
Climate Superfund Act Postcard | Climate Superfund Act
Green Amendment Postcard | NJ Green Amendment Talking Points | Green Amendment Short Form
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Make Advent & Christmas Evangelistic!
This season is full of opportunities to share hope and invite others into community. From caroling in public spaces to hosting a Live Nativity or blessing neighbors, there are countless ways to tell the story of Jesus.
Explore creative ideas and resources from the ELCA Evangelism Network:
https://store.elca.org
¡Haz del Adviento y la Navidad una oportunidad para evangelizar!
Esta temporada está llena de momentos para compartir esperanza e invitar a otros a la comunidad. Desde cantar villancicos en espacios públicos hasta organizar un Belén Viviente o bendecir a los vecinos, hay muchas maneras de contar la historia de Jesús.
Descubre ideas creativas y recursos de la Red de Evangelismo de la ELCA:
https://store.elca.org
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Get Ready for your End of Year Appeal
We know that 30% of annual generosity occurs November through December which is understandable for a variety of reasons. What that means is that we should be prepared to make a statement to our congregational members, friends, 'alumni' and all who frequent the services and outreach we provide about how and why they may make a donation -or additional donation- as the calendar year winds down. Remember that the most important part of the invitation is a reminder about God's faithfulness, and how we participate and share this with others through our congregational setting; that if we think about it, it is one of the few places that our giving is directly aligned with our confession of faith and ministry!
Click here if you want to explore specifics. Or email/call Rev. Dean R. Brown (dbr...@njsynod.org 732-747-1050) for further conversation.
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WEDNESDAYS AWAY - December 3
Pause midweek and join us for Wednesdays Away, a monthly retreat at Cross Roads that invites you into a safe and supportive environment to unplug, reconnect with God and nature, and explore new faith practices. Each session features prayer, conversation, and a different spiritual theme, giving you space to rest, reflect, and grow in a faith-and-values-based community that trusts families like yours. This is a perfect opportunity to build spiritual confidence, deepen relationships, and step away from routine.
Visit our website to learn more: https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/wednesdays-away/
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SHEPHERDS' GATHERING - December 4-7, 2025
Calling leaders in children’s, youth, and young-adult ministry: join us for the Shepherds’ Gathering, a specially crafted retreat at Cross Roads where you’ll rest, share ideas, and find community among peers. In a safe, supportive setting, you’ll explore topics such as family faith formation, rebuilding ministry, and peer-to-peer leadership, all while enjoying time in nature, fellowship, and good food. It's an excellent chance to grow your confidence, strengthen your ministry, deepen your values-based leadership, and reconnect with trusted colleagues.
Visit our website to learn more:
https://www.crossroadsretreat.com/shepherds-gathering/
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Spiritual Care Event - December 10th
The Transformed Listeners Initiative invites you to join Deacon Tammy Devine for an evening of spiritual practices, grounding, and prayer. Centering ourselves during the Advent season in preparation to share and shout out the Good News of the birth of Jesus Christ.
The Transformed Listeners Initiative is a program from the ELCA churchwide office focusing on equipping lay and ordained leaders to be better listeners. Listening to themselves, listening to their community, and listening to God. Through listening practices, we can better proclaim and preach the Good News to a tired and weary world.
Register here... https://forms.office.com/r/BwJpWXsESg
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